Statistics on people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals, AT: March 2026, MHSDS: February 2026

At the end of February 2026 (based on hospital spells data):

• There were 3,775 people with a learning disability and autistic people in hospital.
• There were 1,075 admissions and 1,155 discharges. 75% of these were discharged back into the community.
• There were 469,165 referrals¹ for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

Of these inpatients:

• 1,100 (29%) had been in hospital for over 2 years.
• There are 1,505 inpatients with a planned discharge date (40%).
• 370 (10%) had a delayed discharge.
• The largest proportion (26%) were aged between 25-34 (985).
• The lowest proportion (6%) were aged under 18 (215).
• 67% were male (2,515) and 33% were female (1,235).

Findings based on ward stays data:

• There were 3,760 ward stays reported for the end of the period.
• The largest group of inpatients were in an adult mental health ward (2,130, 57%), followed by a learning disabilities ward (725, 19%). 
• 2,305 (61%) were in a non-secure setting². 1,255 (33%) were in a secure setting.
• 450 (12%) travelled over 50km from home to get to the hospital for care or treatment.
• 775 patients were restrained at least once.

¹ These include all open referrals without a hospital spell associated with them if the inpatient did not need to stay overnight in hospital.

² Non-secure wards include inpatients in general wards. Secure wards include patients in low, medium and high secure ward settings.